Idaho Middle Fork of the Salmon River Rafting 7 Days
Idaho Middle Forkof the SalmonRiver Rafting
7 Days
Idaho Middle Fork of theSalmon River Rafting
Crest more than 100 unforgettable rapids in 100 miles on this adventure down one of
the world's greatest rivers. Get ready for a deluxe camping and boating experience,
guided by Idaho's strongest rafters. Relax on an oar boat, get wet with a team of
paddlers, or captain your own vessel on an inflatable kayak. Choose a new activity
every day! Days are filled with relaxing in natural hot springs, hiking, fishing, visiting
ancient rock formations and cooling off in refreshing waterfalls. This trip is a don't-miss
experience for amateurs and pros alike. MT Sobek is an equal opportunity employer
and operates under special use permit with the Salmon-Challis National Forest..
Note - Actual itinerary routes vary from departure to departure depending on
environmental conditions and group abilities. Please call for more details about each
departure.
Arrive: Stanley, Idaho
Depart: Salmon, Idaho
Duration: 7 Days
Group Size: 7-23 Guests
Minimum Age: 6-17 Years Old
Activity Level:
.
Details Testimonials
"What an awesome group of guides in a settingthat is like no other. I highly recommend this tripto anyone who likes the outdoors and wants to getdisconnected."
Andrew G.
"My MT Sobek Middle Fork trip was outstanding inevery respect. The river is stunning, beginning withits intimate canyon, flowing into a majestic riparianparadise! The guides' skills, knowledge, warmth andrepartee were all top notch."
Diane P.
REASON #01
MT Sobek has operated small-
group rafting adventures
on the Middle Fork of the
Salmon River for over 17 years.
REASON #02
Professional river guides follow
Leave No Trace policies to
maintain a pristine environment
and will WOW you with their
wilderness cooking skills.
REASON #03
Our team carries the heavy load,
sets up your campsite, and cooks
amazing hot meals each day,
so you can relax and have fun!
ACTIVITIES
Exciting whitewater rafting
on Class II-IV rapids, paddling
10-19 miles per day, with
short hiking excursions on
the river's scenic banks.
LODGING
A comfortable hotel in Stanley,
followed by MT Sobek's
deluxe riverside camps, with
meals served around the
campfire beneath the stars.
CLIMATE
Summer daytime temperatures
range between 60-90°F, and
evenings between 40-60°F. June
trips are cooler. Salmon River water
temperatures average 58-65°F.
Kevin McDermott—a.k.a. "Thirsty"—is an integral part of
Mountain Travel Sobek's Arctic rivers program. His laid-back
manner puts everyone at ease, and he is a wealth of knowledge
about Arctic rivers. Kevin has been guiding since he was 17
years old. Although he normally spends his winter months
in Colorado's Telluride ski area, he has climbed Denali three
times, reaching the summit in 2000. Thirsty is a legend in
the MT Sobek circle and endears himself to travelers with his
expertise, calm demeanor, and sense of humor.
Kevin McDermott
Andy was born and raised in the great outdoors of Montana.
At the young age of 15, he launched his first trip down the
Salmon River in Idaho and has never looked back! He spends
his summers guiding down the Salmon before heading
over to the Colorado River in springtime and fall to guide
through the Grand Canyon. Internationally, he has spent time
guiding in Nepal, Ethiopia’s Blue Nile River and Madagascar’s
Mania River. In the off season, Andy works as a ski patroller at
Montana Snowbowl and skis with his dog Dani every chance he
can get.
Andy Ambelang
ItineraryARRIVE IN STANLEY, IDAHO
Arrive by 4pm to the quaint mountain town of Stanley, Idaho - set along the banks of the Salmon River. Meet your
guides on the back lawn of the Mountain Village Resort for a 6pm welcome orientation meeting followed by a
casual picnic dinner. Back to your hotel to pack up your river bags for the early start the next morning..
DAY 1
Meals: D
JOURNEY TO THE PUT-IN AT BOUNDARY CREEK
Ride the bus to Boundary Creek in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness and meet your team of river
guides. Under their expert captainship you'll climb aboard the oar boat or raft, and set off to encounter the first
of the Middle Fork's rapids: Sulphur Slide, Velvet Falls, the Chutes, and Powerhouse. In late afternoon, arrive at
one of the Middle Fork's beautiful campgrounds with breathtaking views, natural hot springs, or trails to explore.
Every night, you'll enjoy appetizers and a delicious meal prepared by the guides, followed by hot drinks and
a campfire. NOTE: Depending on water levels, extreme high or low water levels may require that we change
the put-in location from Boundary Creek to Indian Creek, located 26 miles further down the river. The Indian
Creek put-in is accessible only by air. Therefore, in the event that we need to put in at Indian Creek, MT Sobek will
arrange internal flights from Stanley to the Indian Creek Airstrip on day-2, for an additional fee. High water can
typically occur in early to mid-June, while low water can occur at any point in July or August.
DAY 2
Activity: 6 hours/15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Meals: L, D
GET STARTED WITH PISTOL CREEK RAPID
After breakfast, Class III rapid Pistol Creek provides an exciting jump-start to the day. After lunch, water
permitting, inflatable "ducky" kayaks are available for thrill-seekers looking to paddle through the rapids on their
own (available on all low-water trips) Make a stop at the Indian Creek Guard Station on the river's left bank to
learn a bit about the history of the area, then it's back into the boats to traverse Pongo rapid and coast into camp
around 5pm. You've traveled about 15 miles downriver today.
DAY 3
Activity: 6 hours/15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 4 EXPLORE SUNFLOWER/LOON CREEK HOT SPRINGS
Marble Falls and Ski Jump rapids start off the day. The calm water that follows makes this a good day to fly-fish or
take a refreshing swim. You may also stop at the hot springs at Sunflower or Loon Creek for a relaxing soak while
keeping an eye out for mountain goats and bighorn sheep. After lunch, take a short hike to one of the cliffs along
the river that bear Sheepeater pictographs. Enjoy few a more rapids before pulling into camp after about 15 miles
on the river.
Activity: 6 hours/15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Meals: B, L, D
RIDE THE RIVER TO TAPPAN FALLS
The 15-20 miles you travel today offer some of the Middle Fork's most thrilling rapids, including Tappan I,
Tappan Falls, New Tappan, and Aparajo. Look for bighorn sheep grazing along the shore as you paddle by, as
well as bald eagles, osprey, herons, river otters, and black bears. You can also see shallow circular depressions
in the ground on the riverbanks: the sites of Sheepeater pit dwellings. In the afternoon pass by Kaufman's Cave,
where the Scottish prospector Clarence Kaufman lived for four years.
DAY 5
Activity: 6 hours/15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Meals: B, L, D
COAST INTO THE IMPASSABLE CANYON
Today brings you into the Impassable Canyon, home to truly spectacular scenery: reddish-gray granite cliffs
looming over the water, and sharp rock strata folds — the striking evidence of the canyon's geologically
tumultuous past. Get ready to experience some serious whitewater through Driftwood, Haystack, Bernard Creek,
Earthquake Jack Creek, and Goalpost rapids. After lunch, make the steep hike to Veil Falls, then back on the river,
pass through Weber, Redside and Cliffside rapids and view the 1900s homestead of Earl Parrot. Back at camp,
enjoy a special last-night dinner with champagne.
DAY 6
Activity: 6 hours/15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Meals: B, L, D
DEPART FOR HOMEDAY 7While Day 7 is only a half-day of rafting (about 10 miles on the river) it offers the biggest rapids of the trip:
Foreplay, Rubber, Rubber II, and Hancock. After a thrilling morning, reach the confluence of the Middle Fork and
the Main Salmon River.Leave your boats behind and board a bus to Salmon for an late afternoon arrival at the
Stagecoach Inn, where shuttled vehicles and keys will be waiting. A shuttle service will provide transfers to the
local regional airport for any scheduled flights back to Boise.
Activity: 3 hours/10 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Meals: B, L
Jun 4 - 10, 2021
Jun 13 - 19, 2021
Jun 22 - 28, 2021
Jun 30 - Jul 6, 2021
Jul 8 - 14, 2021
Jul 16 - 22, 2021
Jul 24 - 30, 2021
Aug 1 - 7, 2021
Aug 9 - 15, 2021
2020
$ 2,595 per person
Additional Cost
$ 24 Recreation Enhancement Act Fee
$ 225 Single Supplement
2021
$ 2,695 per person
Additional Cost
$ 24 Recreation Enhancement Act Fee
$ 225 Single Supplement
PRICE INCLUDESExpert leadership from experienced adventureguides
Accommodations as noted in the itinerary
Meals as noted in the daily itinerary
Potable water and snacks throughout
1 glass of wine or beer at dinner
All tips and gratuities for support staff with theexception of your lead adventure guide(s)
All necessary rafting gear
All group entrance fees, activities, and groundtransportation
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDEAirfare to/from the trip start or end point, any airporttaxes, or excess baggage charges
Optional tips to your lead adventure guides
Personal expenses such as medical immunizations,phone calls, laundry, or souvenirs
Optional travel protection